No such things as old aircraft–PAF spokesman

MANILA, Philippines—There was no such thing as an old aircraft, a Philippine Airforce (PAF) Spokesman said Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990 AM that they don’t base how old an airplane was on its age. “We base it on the flying hours and on maintenance,” he said.

“Every number of hours, aircraft are brought to the hangar and thoroughly inspected,” Okol said. During this time the plane will be taken apart and all the parts that need to be changed “even if it is not broken and working perfectly well” will be changed, he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol. INQUIRER.net/FRANCES MANGOSING

“When it comes out of that facility it’s practically fit [and] very safe for flying,” Okol said.

He added that aircraft in the PAF normally have a 1000 to 1500 flying hours range. “In terms of years, depending on use, that would take about on average at least 5 years for a particular aircraft.”

Okol cited as an example the two C-130 cargo planes that will be coming in for maintenance, one was from the United States and another was made in the Philippines. They’ve reached the maximum flying hours and will be brought to the hangar for maintenance, Okol said.

On the recent airplane crash off the coast of Masbate that killed three, including Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Okol said that it was an “isolated case.”

“Thats a civilian aircraft certified by a civilian agency,” he said.

The Piper Seneca plane was said to have encountered engine trouble prompting the pilot to request to make an emergency landing at Masbate airport. It however crashed some 500 meters from the runway.

He added the modernization bill was gaining ground and they welcome the support.

“This is your airforce. So if our airforce is modern, your airforce is modern, it will be a source of national pride,” Okol said.

For more listen to the attached audio from Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.